The exciseman had jumped to his feet at Donald's first outburst. But he
had underrated his man, and now it was too late. To attempt to draw a
pistol now would be fatal--that was a movement with which he should have
opened the affair. The exciseman was disposed to try bluster; but
bluster does not always win a trick in the game, more especially when
the ace of trumps, in the shape of a pistol, is held by the adversary.
In this instance, after a long glance at the Highlander, the gauger's
eyes wavered and fell; he swallowed hard in his throat once or twice,
and lost colour; and finally he sat down in the seat from which a
minute ago he had sprung full of fight. Then slowly, and almost as it
seemed, against his own volition, his hand went out and closed on the
whisky bottle. He helped himself largely, drank copiously, without
diluting too much with water, but still said never a word. Now his
colour came back a little, and he nibbled at the oatcake and cheese.
Then more whisky. Gradually the man became talkative--even laughed now
and then a trifle unsteadily. And all the time Donald kept on him a
watchful eye, and had him covered, giving him no opportunity to turn the
tables. For here the Highlander saw his chance. He had no wish to murder
the gauger, but, at any price, he was not going to be taken.
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